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Exodus 16:4
Verse
Context
Manna and Quail from Heaven
3“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.5Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I will rain bread - Therefore this substance was not a production of the desert: nor was the dew that was the instrument of producing it common there, else they must have had this bread for a month before.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Then said the Lord unto Moses--Though the outbreak was immediately against the human leaders, it was indirectly against God: yet mark His patience, and how graciously He promised to redress the grievance. I will rain bread from heaven--Israel, a type of the Church which is from above, and being under the conduct, government, and laws of heaven, received their food from heaven also (Psa 78:24). that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no--The grand object of their being led into the wilderness was that they might receive a religious training directly under the eye of God; and the first lesson taught them was a constant dependence on God for their daily nourishment.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said the Lord unto Moses,.... Who no doubt had been praying to him, as was his usual manner, when the people were in distress and complained, and was heard and answered by him: behold: I will rain bread from heaven for you; though they were a murmuring, rebellious, and ungrateful people, the Lord dealt kindly and bountifully with them; he did not rain fire and brimstone upon them, as on Sodom and Gomorrah, nor snares and an horrible tempest, as on the wicked; but what was desirable by them, and suitable to their present circumstances, even bread, which was what they wanted, and this ready prepared; for though they did dress it in different ways, yet it might be eaten without any preparation at all; and this it was promised should be rained down upon them, there should be great plenty of it; it should come as thick and as fast as a shower of rain, and lie around their camp ready at hand to take up; and this should not spring out of the earth as bread corn does, but come down from heaven; and being such a wonderful thing, a "behold" is prefixed unto it, denoting the marvellousness of it, as well as exciting attention to what was said: our Lord may seem to contradict this, when he says, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, Joh 6:32, but the reconciliation is easy; for not to observe that it was God, and not Moses, that gave this bread, so though it came from the airy heavens, and along with the dew of it, where it was prepared perhaps by the ministry of angels, and therefore called the corn of heaven, and angels' bread, Psa 78:24, yet it came not from the heaven of heavens, the third heaven, from whence the true bread, the antitype of this, came, even our Lord Jesus Christ himself: and the people shall go out, and gather a certain rate of it every day; or "the thing of the day in its day" (i), the bread day by day; to which our Lord may be thought to allude, when he directs his disciples to pray, give us this day our daily bread; as this would be rained every morning, the people were to go out of the camp, and gather it up for their daily use, and which was to be done every day: that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no; by this single instance of their obedience to his will in going out every morning to gather their bread, that should be rained for them, he proposed to try and prove their obedience to his law in all other respects; what regard would be had to it when it should be given, and what might be expected from them, and likewise whether they would depend upon his providence in this case also. (i) "rem diei in die suo", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Fagius, Drusius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:4-5 These are the Lord’s instructions for gathering the food that he would provide in the wilderness. Enough was provided for each day, with a double amount provided on the sixth day so that the people would not have to gather any on the Sabbath (see 16:21-30). The Israelites thus observed the Sabbath even before it was codified in the Decalogue. We instinctively resist a style of life in which it is necessary to depend on God each day to supply our needs. We wish to have supplies in advance so that we can feel independent. God was training the people for a life of faith (cp. Matt 6:11).
Exodus 16:4
Manna and Quail from Heaven
3“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.5Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Charlotte Seminar 5-27-00 Pm
By George Warnock2.4K1:19:58SeminarEXO 13:21EXO 16:4EXO 17:6PSA 95:1ROM 4:202CO 3:6HEB 3:10In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the Israelites' journey in the wilderness for 40 years. Despite witnessing numerous miracles and provisions from God, the generation of Israelites during that time did not truly know God or understand His ways. The preacher emphasizes the importance of genuine worship and praise, rather than using it as a form of entertainment. He also highlights the faithfulness of God in providing for His people, such as giving them manna from heaven and water from a rock. The sermon concludes with a reminder of God's power and victory in the story of Gideon and how God fought for His people.
When Things Don't Make Sense
By Jim Cymbala2.1K19:26ConfusionEXO 14:21EXO 15:23EXO 16:4EXO 16:20EXO 17:2EXO 32:1EXO 32:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in the invisible, rather than relying on physical signs and experiences. He warns against seeking tangible proof of God's presence and instead encourages the congregation to praise and worship God regardless of what they see or feel. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites, who became impatient and built an idol in the form of a calf while waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain. The preacher highlights the consequences of their impatience and urges the congregation to wait on God's timing and not rush ahead in their own desires.
Model for Praying: How Should Prayer End
By J. Glyn Owen1.7K56:13Prayer ModelEXO 16:4DEU 8:3MAT 6:11LUK 11:2In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of praying for various aspects of God's kingdom. He emphasizes the need to hallow God's name, pray for His kingdom to come, and for His will to be done on earth. The preacher also highlights the significance of praying for daily provisions, forgiveness of sins, and protection from temptation and evil. He concludes by emphasizing God's power to provide for His people, even in times of scarcity, and challenges the modern skepticism towards God's ability to answer prayers for daily bread.
Dedication Proved
By Devern Fromke1.6K1:11:39DedicationGEN 22:1EXO 16:4DEU 6:1DEU 6:15MAT 6:33ROM 12:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the foundational teachings of the faith and progressing in our spiritual journey. He shares a story of a young man who was curious about the joy and love he saw in a group of believers and eventually came to know the Lord. The speaker highlights the need for a heart transformation and wholehearted devotion to God. He encourages believers to recognize the desperate need in the world and to be dedicated and unwavering in their faith, trusting in God's limitless power.
(Genesis) Genesis 12-13
By Joe Focht1.3K1:02:02GenesisGEN 12:10EXO 16:4MAT 6:8MAT 6:331CO 2:21CO 10:112CO 12:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making decisions based on God's word rather than worldly influences. He highlights the constant bombardment of worldly standards and the temptation to rely on our own resources. The speaker encourages listeners to turn to prayer when faced with difficult situations and to seek new revelations about God's character and provision. Drawing from the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, the speaker emphasizes the necessity of learning from God's discipline and relying on His word for sustenance rather than worldly sustenance.
My Missionary Roots in Africa
By Stephen Olford1.2K30:49TestimonyEXO 16:4MAT 6:33JHN 6:32JHN 6:41JHN 6:47JHN 6:51JHN 6:58In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences that highlight the power of God and the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He recounts a story where a man who threatened him with a gun died suddenly after the speaker prayed to God for protection. This incident led to the conversion of many people in the community. The speaker also shares a childhood experience where he narrowly escaped death and realized the need to accept Jesus as his Savior. He emphasizes the importance of having a personal encounter with Jesus and invites others to do the same.
Today's Supply
By Jim Cymbala1.1K21:27GrumblingEXO 15:27EXO 16:4MAT 7:7In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of receiving a prophecy about traveling the world and being used by God. They express their initial confusion and doubt but acknowledge that there was something significant in the message. The speaker then reflects on the phrase "Fill my cup, Lord" and emphasizes the importance of being filled by God's blessings in order to pour out to others. They draw a parallel to the story of the Israelites in the wilderness, where God provided manna as their daily sustenance. The speaker highlights the lesson of not relying on past blessings but seeking God's provision daily and humbling oneself before Him.
The Bread of Heaven
By Mariano Di Gangi1429:56Faith in ChristSpiritual NourishmentJesusEXO 16:4MAT 4:4JHN 3:16JHN 6:12JHN 6:27JHN 6:35JHN 6:40JHN 6:51JHN 6:54ROM 8:32Mariano Di Gangi preaches on 'The Bread of Heaven,' emphasizing that Jesus is essential for spiritual nourishment, likening Him to bread that sustains life. He recounts the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, illustrating how Jesus provides not just physical sustenance but also the deeper spiritual nourishment that humanity craves. Di Gangi explains that while people often seek material blessings, true fulfillment comes from recognizing Jesus as the bread of life, the bread of God, and the bread of heaven. He stresses the importance of faith in receiving this nourishment, urging believers to come to Christ and partake in His life-giving essence. The sermon concludes with a call to embrace Jesus fully, as He alone satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart.
Day by Day
By Andrew Murray1Spiritual GrowthDaily Dependence on GodEXO 16:4LAM 3:22MAT 6:34Andrew Murray emphasizes the importance of living day by day, drawing from Exodus 16:4, which illustrates God's provision of manna for each day. He explains that just as the Israelites gathered their daily portion, believers are called to trust God for their needs one day at a time, alleviating worries about the future. Murray encourages Christians to value each day as an opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus, reminding them that daily faithfulness leads to spiritual growth. He highlights the significance of morning devotion as a means to prepare for the day ahead, ensuring a continuous connection with Christ. Ultimately, Murray calls believers to embrace the daily rhythm of grace, trusting in God's provision and presence in every moment.
God’s Ultimate Plan
By David Wilkerson0God's GuidanceTrust in God's PlanEXO 16:4EXO 17:6DEU 4:36PSA 78:24David Wilkerson emphasizes God's ultimate plan for Israel as a chosen people, illustrating how He guided them through the wilderness to demonstrate His goodness and power. In their isolation, Israel learned to rely entirely on God for their survival, receiving daily miracles such as food from heaven and water from a rock. This experience was meant to showcase the living God to surrounding nations, contrasting their mute idols with a God who speaks, loves, and provides. Wilkerson highlights that God desired complete trust and control over His people to lead them through the impossible, ultimately training them to be a testimony to the world.
The Love of the Lord
By C.H. Spurgeon0God's LoveFaithfulnessEXO 16:4PSA 23:4ROM 8:38C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the unwavering love of the Lord, urging believers to reflect on their past experiences of God's provision and grace throughout their lives. He reminds them of how God has sustained them in times of trouble, forgiven their sins, and provided comfort through His presence. Spurgeon encourages faith in God's future love, assuring that nothing can separate believers from His love, even in the face of death or the unknown. This reflection on God's love should ignite a deeper love for Jesus within the hearts of believers, compelling them to delight in their relationship with Him.
He Careth for You
By William MacDonald0Assurance in TrialsGod's CareEXO 16:4PSA 56:8ISA 43:2ISA 49:16MAT 6:26MAT 10:29MAT 10:31LUK 12:6HEB 13:51PE 5:7William MacDonald emphasizes God's profound care for His people, illustrating this through biblical examples such as the provision for Israel in the wilderness and the care for sparrows and lilies. He reassures us that we are of greater value to God than these creatures, as evidenced by Christ's sacrificial love and His intimate knowledge of our lives. MacDonald highlights that God is always present with us, bearing our burdens and ensuring our needs are met, even in times of trouble. He concludes with the assurance that God's care extends throughout our lives, from youth to old age, and that He will never abandon us.
Living by the Day
By J.R. Miller0Trusting God's ProvisionLiving in the PresentEXO 16:4DEU 33:25PSA 68:19LAM 3:22MAT 6:34PHP 4:19J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of living in the present, urging believers to focus on today's responsibilities rather than being overwhelmed by the vastness of life. He illustrates that life is not meant to be faced all at once but rather day by day, with God providing the necessary strength for each day's challenges. By trusting in God's provision and living one day at a time, individuals can find peace and purpose without succumbing to anxiety about the future. Miller draws on biblical examples, such as the Israelites receiving daily manna, to reinforce the message that God equips us for our daily needs. Ultimately, he encourages a mindset of gratitude and reliance on God for each day's journey.
Manna
By J. Wilbur Chapman0EXO 16:4JOS 13:1LUK 15:18JHN 10:10GAL 5:16In this sermon by J. Wilbur Chapman, he draws parallels between the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness and the Christian's spiritual journey. Just like the Israelites received manna from heaven as sustenance, Christians are provided with spiritual food through God's Word and the Lord's Supper. Despite partaking in these blessings, many Christians still feel a sense of lack and unrest, struggling with sin and inconsistency. Chapman emphasizes the need for Christians to fully surrender to God, seek His Spirit, and claim their birthright as children of God to possess the abundant life He has promised.
From the Exodus-Through the Life of David
By J.R. Miller0Obedience and TrustGod's ProvisionEXO 16:4EXO 20:3J.R. Miller explores the journey of the Israelites from the Exodus to the life of David, emphasizing God's provision and guidance through trials, such as the giving of manna and the establishment of the Ten Commandments. He highlights the importance of trust in God during hardships, the significance of obedience to His commands, and the dangers of idolatry as seen in the worship of the golden calf. Miller draws parallels between the experiences of the Israelites and the life of David, illustrating how faithfulness and reliance on God lead to blessings and guidance. He encourages believers to recognize God's daily provisions and to maintain a heart of gratitude and obedience.
The Undeniable Reality of God's Provision
By George Mueller0God's ProvisionFaith in PrayerEXO 16:4PSA 23:1PSA 37:25MAT 6:26MAT 7:7LUK 12:242CO 9:8PHP 4:19JAS 1:171PE 5:7George Mueller shares the undeniable reality of God's provision through a miraculous event at his orphanage, where he and Dr. A. T. Pierson prayed for breakfast despite having nothing in the house. Their faith was rewarded when an unknown benefactor, prompted by God, provided an abundance of food for two thousand children. This story illustrates the power of prayer and reliance on God for our needs, emphasizing that God is aware of our circumstances and responds in His perfect timing.
Wilderness Journey
By David Wilkerson0God's ProvisionFaith in TrialsEXO 16:4NUM 20:11DEU 8:32CH 20:15PSA 77:19ISA 45:22MIC 7:7ZEC 4:6JHN 6:68HEB 11:1David Wilkerson illustrates the Christian life as a wilderness journey, akin to the Israelites' experience, where faith is the only means of crossing the treacherous terrain of life. He emphasizes the importance of keeping one's eyes on the Lord amidst uncertainty and challenges, drawing parallels to King Jehoshaphat's battle where God provided miraculous deliverance. Wilkerson encourages believers to seek solitude with Jesus, trusting Him alone for guidance and salvation, rather than relying on their own understanding. He reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and that we must look to Him for help and direction. Ultimately, the promise of God’s presence and provision is a source of hope for every believer on their journey.
Divine Instrument
By K.P. Yohannan0DiscouragementHope in GodGEN 39:3EXO 16:4PSA 73:28PSA 119:67PRO 4:23PRO 23:7ROM 8:282CO 1:82CO 4:11TH 5:18K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that while we may feel equipped to handle life's challenges, discouragement is a common experience that can serve as a divine instrument for growth and reliance on God. He illustrates how God uses our struggles to draw us closer to Him, much like the Israelites who had to gather manna daily for sustenance. Yohannan encourages believers to maintain hope and a positive attitude, as seen in the lives of Paul and Joseph, who faced immense trials yet remained steadfast in their faith. Ultimately, he reminds us that our perspective and attitude towards difficulties can shape our journey and strengthen our relationship with God.
Our Substance Blessed
By C.H. Spurgeon0StewardshipBlessingsEXO 16:4DEU 28:5MAT 6:25C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that obedience to God brings blessings upon our daily provisions, whether they are immediate needs or stored resources. He illustrates that even a modest supply, like a hand-basket, is sufficient when blessed by God, as seen in the Israelites' experience with daily manna. Spurgeon warns that while having a store can bring care and anxiety, it is essential to seek God's blessing to prevent material possessions from becoming idols. He prays for the ability to use our resources for God's glory and to maintain a proper perspective on worldly goods.
When God Says "Trust Me," He Means It!
By David Wilkerson0Trust in GodFaithfulness of GodEXO 16:4LEV 25:81KI 17:62KI 7:6PSA 37:25ISA 41:10MAT 14:17JHN 2:9PHP 4:19HEB 10:23David Wilkerson emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness throughout history, illustrating how He has met the needs of His people, from providing manna in the wilderness to miraculous feedings in the New Testament. He highlights the importance of trusting God, as seen in the cycles of sabbaths commanded in Leviticus, which served to build a generational history of faith. Wilkerson reassures that despite fears and uncertainties, God's provision is always sufficient, encouraging believers to trust Him fully. The sermon serves as a reminder that God's promises are reliable and that He truly means it when He calls us to trust Him.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I will rain bread - Therefore this substance was not a production of the desert: nor was the dew that was the instrument of producing it common there, else they must have had this bread for a month before.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Then said the Lord unto Moses--Though the outbreak was immediately against the human leaders, it was indirectly against God: yet mark His patience, and how graciously He promised to redress the grievance. I will rain bread from heaven--Israel, a type of the Church which is from above, and being under the conduct, government, and laws of heaven, received their food from heaven also (Psa 78:24). that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no--The grand object of their being led into the wilderness was that they might receive a religious training directly under the eye of God; and the first lesson taught them was a constant dependence on God for their daily nourishment.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said the Lord unto Moses,.... Who no doubt had been praying to him, as was his usual manner, when the people were in distress and complained, and was heard and answered by him: behold: I will rain bread from heaven for you; though they were a murmuring, rebellious, and ungrateful people, the Lord dealt kindly and bountifully with them; he did not rain fire and brimstone upon them, as on Sodom and Gomorrah, nor snares and an horrible tempest, as on the wicked; but what was desirable by them, and suitable to their present circumstances, even bread, which was what they wanted, and this ready prepared; for though they did dress it in different ways, yet it might be eaten without any preparation at all; and this it was promised should be rained down upon them, there should be great plenty of it; it should come as thick and as fast as a shower of rain, and lie around their camp ready at hand to take up; and this should not spring out of the earth as bread corn does, but come down from heaven; and being such a wonderful thing, a "behold" is prefixed unto it, denoting the marvellousness of it, as well as exciting attention to what was said: our Lord may seem to contradict this, when he says, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, Joh 6:32, but the reconciliation is easy; for not to observe that it was God, and not Moses, that gave this bread, so though it came from the airy heavens, and along with the dew of it, where it was prepared perhaps by the ministry of angels, and therefore called the corn of heaven, and angels' bread, Psa 78:24, yet it came not from the heaven of heavens, the third heaven, from whence the true bread, the antitype of this, came, even our Lord Jesus Christ himself: and the people shall go out, and gather a certain rate of it every day; or "the thing of the day in its day" (i), the bread day by day; to which our Lord may be thought to allude, when he directs his disciples to pray, give us this day our daily bread; as this would be rained every morning, the people were to go out of the camp, and gather it up for their daily use, and which was to be done every day: that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no; by this single instance of their obedience to his will in going out every morning to gather their bread, that should be rained for them, he proposed to try and prove their obedience to his law in all other respects; what regard would be had to it when it should be given, and what might be expected from them, and likewise whether they would depend upon his providence in this case also. (i) "rem diei in die suo", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Fagius, Drusius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:4-5 These are the Lord’s instructions for gathering the food that he would provide in the wilderness. Enough was provided for each day, with a double amount provided on the sixth day so that the people would not have to gather any on the Sabbath (see 16:21-30). The Israelites thus observed the Sabbath even before it was codified in the Decalogue. We instinctively resist a style of life in which it is necessary to depend on God each day to supply our needs. We wish to have supplies in advance so that we can feel independent. God was training the people for a life of faith (cp. Matt 6:11).